Selfridges and Deep Water Sake Tasting at Hedonism Wines
Oh, no, we didn't taste sake at the bottom of the ocean inside Selfridges as you might think. We did it at Hedonism Wines, which has been expanding its sake…
Fukushima Pride: London 2018
When you start getting really interested in something, new opportunities to learn more about the subject suddenly start presenting themselves one after another. You meet new people, who pass your…
Taruzake: cedar in your glass
When you start talking to people about sake, many have the impression that all sake is pretty much the same, just different brands. The reality, however, is far from it.…
Friends and sake: Honijikomi-Kamoizumi
Why do people need friends? I bet most of us never thought about it. Friends are something so natural for the majority of people like air to breath and water…
Hot springs of Arima Onsen and the first sake
“On the 11th day, the Emperor went to the hot springs of Arima.” Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan) Scroll 25, Emperor Kotoku I was planning our first trip to…
Shoganai: How to enjoy wagashi with green tea even after an accident
There are many unique drinks in Japan including Ramune, a lemonade with a marble as a cork, strangely named sport drink, Pokari Sweat, strong distilled alcoholic beverage called shochu and…
Yoshinogawa Daiginjo
Yoshinogawa Daiginjo: Half a millennium of sake making from Niigata
BreweryYoshinogawaPrefectureNiigataSake typeDaiginjoMilling ratio40%Alcohol16%SMV+3Acidity1.2 What is the oldest sake brewery? It’s a good question and I spent a good amount of time digging around to find it out. I have to…
Criollo Chocolate
Criollo chocolate discovery
I’m not the biggest fan of chocolate. Even as a child I was not too keen on sweets and ice cream (although loved a Crème brûlée flavoured). But after discovering…
Suzue Aoyama
Japanese inspired desserts and sip of sake
I love Japanese takes on European desserts because Japanese versions are usually lighter and less sweet. Take for example a strawberry shortcake, the most iconic European-style cake in Japan. The Japanese…
Fukumitsuya Kagatobi "Ai" Junmai Daiginjo
Fukumitsuya Kagatobi “Ai” Junmai Daiginjo
I quite regret that I hadn’t taken enough interest in sake before our first (and still only!) trip to Japan in 2016. I was still planning to go to the…
